R Street encouraged by Senate decision not to block internet governance transition
WASHINGTON (Sept. 28, 2016) — The R Street Institute responded to today’s passage by the U.S. Senate of a continuing resolution without language to delay the transition of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The following statement can be attributed to R Street Technology Policy Fellow Anne Hobson:
The R Street Institute applauds the leadership of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and the U.S. Senate for refusing to cave to hyperbolic rhetoric that insisted ICANN transition-delay language be included in the continuing resolution vote. This is a vital step toward completing this 18-year commitment to transition theInternet Assigned Numbers Authority functions to an international multistakeholder model. By demonstrating trust in this model, the United States is discouraging foreign governments from pursuing multilateral models that allow for more state control.
As the U.S. House moves to discuss the important question of funding the government, we call on members to follow the Senate’s lead and not engage either in 11th hour brinkmanship or litigation to obstruct the transition.
There remain concerns about ICANN’s mechanisms for accountability, transparency and potential for mission creep. Delaying the transition would not fix any of these issues, while allowing the transition to move forward empowers the internet community to address these concerns. The R Street Institute looks forward to contributing to the continuing discussion on internet governance.
R Street has previously argued why the transition should move forward as planned.
